If there is one thing that Barcelona fans still regret despite the passage of time, it is Lionel Messi's departure from the club. Something that seemed impossible ended up happening in 2021 and in 2025, it continues to generate sadness in the Blaugrana world. One of the people who most regretted the way it all went down was the team's president, Joan Laporta, who in a recent interview explained that his relationship with Messi is not the best.

Joan Laporta was the president who signed Lionel Messi's first contract when the Argentine was just 16 years old, however, he was also one of the people responsible for the star's departure in 2021, something that fans have not forgiven him for to this day and he himself insists that he wants to fix the past.

Laporta explains his current relationship with Messi

In an interview with La2CAT, Laporta recalled the way in which Messi left Barcelona and also explained what kind of relationship they currently have, which is not very good.

"The situation makes me sad. Leo gave a lot to Barcelona and Barcelona gave a lot to Leo. I hope we can reconcile. With his family the relationship was good and with him it was fantastic," Laporta said.

Regarding having a relationship with Messi again, Laporta was open to having dialogue. "It depends on him. I am open to fixing anything. I'm talking about paying tribute to him, a statue, giving him recognition. Because in our 125-year history, the 'Messi Moment' is one of the most glorious, if not the most glorious of all."

Laporta does not regret prioritising Barcelona over Messi

Despite Laporta's laments about the way Messi left Barcelona and the poor relationship they currently have, the Blaugrana president insisted that he does not regret putting the club above any name.

"I'm a Barcelona fan and the institution is above everything. If I were a member, I would understand what the president did above anyone else," Laporta explained of the financial problems Barcelona had in 2021.

Messi's departure from the club was mainly due to the economic problems the team was facing and the failure to reach an agreement in the negotiations between player and club. Since that departure, Messi has never stopped saying that he loves the club and it may even be that in another role, they will join paths again.